Curved footstrap insert and assembly

ABSTRACT

A foot strap insert and assembly for aquatic sports equipment. The foot strap insert may include: a curved body comprising at least one aperture configured to receive and removably retain at least one fastener therein. The foot strap insert assembly may include: at least one pair of curved bodies comprising two curved bodies, the two curved bodies each comprising at least one aperture. The foot strap insert assembly may also include: aquatic sports equipment and at least one foot strap insert, the at least one foot strap insert comprising a curved body, the curved body comprising at least one aperture. Additionally, the present invention relates to a foot strap insert and assembly that is practical—thereby permitting a user to easily and removably position and insert one or more foot straps—and inexpensive—thus allowing for widespread use in the field of aquatic sports equipment.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. Section 119 to a currently pending, U.S. Provisional application having Ser. No. 63/316,730 and filed on Mar. 4, 2022, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a foot strap insert and assembly for aquatic sports equipment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

In the generalized realm of aquatic sports, many such sports (e.g., surfing, kiteboarding, wing surfing, foil surfing, etc.) utilize watersports boards. In many of these aquatic sports, individuals who utilize such watersports boards include (1) novices seeking to learn proper technique, (2) intermediately skilled users seeking to merely enjoy participating in the aquatic sport and/or improve their skill and technique, and (3) semi-professional and professional users seeking to utilize the speed and maneuverability of these watersports boards to maximize their potential performance—either for competitions, personal enjoyment, or another of a variety of reasons.

Due to the great deal of speed and maneuverability of these watersports boards, performing tricks and “getting air” has become more accessible for accomplished users of these boards. In performing tricks and “getting air,” it is quite difficult, even for the most experienced user, to stay with the watersports board once in the air and to land in a controlled manner. Users are forced to either execute the respective maneuver(s) so that the board stays in position under the user while in the air—which is extremely difficult—or adjust their bodies and/or foot position to account for the external forces associated with the execution of the respective maneuver(s) so that the users remain on the board by any means necessary. Unfortunately, the latter forces the user out of his or her natural stance and does not allow for an easy transition back into such a stance, thereby having an extremely limiting effect on the user's ability to control the maneuver.

Accordingly, in any of the aforementioned groupings of individuals and across all age ranges, foot straps have been developed long ago and are frequently used in conjunction with these watersports boards. The use of foot straps is inherently useful for novices, as foot straps allow for beginners to focus on their balance and bodily movements while simultaneously having a physical connection with the watersports board (i.e., the feeling of the foot strap on a user's foot) such that the user knows his or her feet are in predetermined places on the watersports board and are not out of position for optimal performance. The use of foot straps is also inherently useful for those with intermediate-and-above skill levels, as the aforementioned speed and maneuverability of these watersports boards allows for users to more easily perform tricks and “get air.” In either case, foot straps are utilized to provide a user with additional stability, comfort, and a large increase to potential user performance. However, currently available forms of the means by which foot straps attach to these watersports boards pose limitations to a user's stability, comfort, and ultimate performance when engaging with these boards in the context of the aforementioned aquatic sports.

One such issue arising from the current state of the means by which foot straps attach to aquatic sports equipment, and more specifically, watersports boards, comes by way of foot strap inserts that provide limited adjustability regarding the physical placement and angular placement of a user's feet. In many such instances, these foot strap inserts are designed in a linear fashion and embedded into watersports boards such that when at least one foot strap is used, the foot strap (e.g., the foot strap for a user's back foot) is oriented parallel to the orientation of the watersports board and thus a user's foot is oriented perpendicularly to the orientation of the watersports board. In doing so, the limitation on the physical placement and angular placement of at least one foot of a user serves to detract from the user's overall (1) comfort—as the placement of a user's feet is essential to the user's comfort level while performing an aquatic sport that utilizes an item of aquatic sports equipment such as a watersports board—(2) stability—as the placement of a user's feet is essential to whether the user to remain in an engaged position irrespective of external forces applies to the user—and (3) performance—as certain positions of a user's feet are more conducive to performing tricks, for increased speed production, and for many other goals—when engaging with these watersports boards in the context of the aforementioned aquatic sports.

Additionally, another common issue that arises comes by way of foot strap inserts that do not maintain a consistent screw hole distance. As mentioned, many foot strap inserts are designed in a linear fashion and provide limited adjustability regarding the physical placement and angular orientation of a user's feet. Some variations exist such that when embedded into watersports boards and when at least one foot strap is used, the foot strap allows for an expanded angular placement of a user's feet. In many such instances, however, a user's adjustment of the positioning of a foot strap—in this case, the angular orientation of the foot strap—also inherently adjusts the width of the foot strap (i.e., the distance between a proximal end of a foot strap and a distal end of the foot strap). In doing so, the foot strap insert fundamentally ensures that as the angular orientation of a user's foot increases, the width of the foot strap will also increase.

As such, a foot strap insert and assembly for aquatic sports equipment is therefore required to provide for an alternative to the common form of inserts used in aquatic sports equipment and that is designed to address several inadequacies in the prior art. Specifically, there is a need in the art for a foot strap insert and assembly for aquatic sports equipment to (1) provide a user greater freedom to position one or more foot straps—thereby (2) providing the user with greater freedom to position the user's feet and (3) allowing for the user to utilize the aquatic sports equipment in several settings for several different styles of riding—and (4) maintain a consistent screw hole distance, thereby (5) allowing a user to adjust the positioning of one or more foot straps without adjusting the width of the one or more foot straps, all while providing (6) stability and (7) comfort to the user. Further, a foot strap insert for aquatic sports equipment is therefore required to (8) increase a user's performance when engaging in activities involving the aquatic sports equipment. It is further desired that the present invention be practical—thereby permitting a user to easily and removably position and insert one or more foot straps—and inexpensive—thus allowing for widespread use in the field of aquatic sports equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the disadvantages that come with using the aforementioned means by which foot straps attach to aquatic sports equipment (e.g., the use of foot strap inserts that provide limited adjustability regarding the physical placement and angular placement of a user's feet), the present invention is directed to a foot strap insert and assembly for aquatic sports equipment which provides a user of the aquatic sports equipment (e.g., a watersports board) with greater freedom to position the user's feet and allows the user to adjust the positioning of one or more foot straps without adjusting the width of the one or more foot straps while concurrently providing stability and comfort to the user. As may be understood, when in use in connection with aquatic sports equipment (e.g., a watersports board), a foot strap is concurrently connected to two foot strap inserts based on preferred foot orientation and foot size of a user.

Moreover, as may be understood with reference to the term “angle of rotation,” such an angle may refer to the position of a first point on an arc in relative location to a second point on an arc (i.e., the amount of rotation needed to move from the first point on the arc to the second point on the arc). This term reflects the angle between a first radii whose endpoint on the arc is the first point and a second radii whose endpoint on the arc is the second point. Further, as may be understood with reference to the term “substantially,” such angle of rotation may comprise any standard degree of tolerance, wherein the exact angle of rotation as previously and hereafter specified need not be exactly 12 degrees or 17 degrees, but instead be within such standard manufacturing degree of tolerance for the effective use thereof. Additionally, as may be understood, the phrase “screw hole distance” may refer to the distance between a pair of foot strap inserts for aquatic sports equipment, each of the foot strap inserts equidistant from and mirrored about an axis of rotation.

In more specific terms, the foot strap insert for aquatic sports equipment may comprise a curved body, the curved body structurally disposed to be fixedly secured into the aquatic sports equipment and comprising at least one aperture, the at least one aperture structured and disposed to receive and removably retain at least one fastener therein. In at least some embodiments of the present invention, the curved body is an injection-molded component. In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the curved body is fixedly and irremovably embedded into the aquatic sports equipment, such as by the use of an adhesive. By way of non-limiting example, the foot strap insert may comprise at least a first aperture and second aperture. In at least some embodiments of the present invention wherein the foot strap insert comprises at least a first aperture and second aperture, the first aperture and the second aperture are disposed in spaced relation to one another at a predetermined angle of rotation. By way of non-limiting example, the predetermined angle of rotation is substantially 12 degrees. By way of additional non-limiting example, the predetermined angle of rotation is substantially 17 degrees.

Additionally, the present invention is directed to a foot strap insert assembly for aquatic sports equipment, wherein the foot strap insert assembly may comprise at least one pair of curved bodies, the at least one pair of curved bodies comprising two curved bodies, the two curved bodies each structurally disposed to be fixedly secured into the aquatic sports equipment, each equidistant from and mirrored about an axis of rotation, and each comprising at least one aperture, the at least one aperture structured and disposed to receive and removably retain at least one fastener therein. In at least some embodiments of the present invention, the foot strap assembly further comprises at least a first aperture and a second aperture. In at least some embodiments of the present invention wherein the foot strap insert assembly comprises at least a first aperture and second aperture, the first aperture and the second aperture are disposed in spaced relation to one another at a predetermined angle of rotation. By way of non-limiting example, the predetermined angle of rotation is substantially 12 degrees. By way of additional non-limiting example, the predetermined angle of rotation is substantially 17 degrees. Furthermore, in at least some embodiments of the present invention, the foot strap insert assembly comprises a plurality of pairs of curved bodies. In such embodiments, and by way of non-limiting example, the plurality of pairs of curved bodies comprises at least one pair of curved bodies at a first size and at least one pair of curved bodies at a second size. Additionally, in at least some embodiments of the present invention, the foot strap insert assembly comprises six pairs of curved bodies. In such embodiments, and by way of additional non-limiting example, the six pairs of curved bodies comprise three pairs of curved bodies at a first size and three pairs of curved bodies at a second size.

Moreover, the present invention is directed to a foot strap insert assembly for aquatic sports equipment, wherein the aquatic sports equipment comprises a left third, a center third, and a right third. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to a foot strap insert assembly comprising at least one foot strap insert, the at least one foot strap insert comprising a curved body, the curved body structurally disposed to be fixedly secured into the center third of the aquatic sports equipment, the curved body comprising at least one aperture, the at least one aperture structured and disposed to receive and removably retain at least one fastener therein. By way of non-limiting example, the foot strap insert assembly may comprise at least a first aperture and second aperture. In at least some embodiments of the present invention wherein the foot strap insert comprises at least a first aperture and second aperture, the first aperture and the second aperture are disposed in spaced relation to one another at a predetermined angle of rotation. By way of non-limiting example, the predetermined angle of rotation is substantially 12 degrees. By way of additional non-limiting example, the predetermined angle of rotation is substantially 17 degrees.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer when the drawings as well as the detailed description are taken into consideration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic, top perspective view of one embodiment of the foot strap insert for aquatic sports equipment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic, side perspective view of another embodiment of the foot strap insert for aquatic sports equipment, taken at a slightly downward angle.

FIG. 3 is a schematic, side perspective view of another embodiment of the foot strap insert for aquatic sports equipment, taken at a slightly downward angle.

FIG. 4 is a schematic, top perspective view of one embodiment of the foot strap insert assembly for aquatic sports equipment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic, top perspective view of one embodiment of the foot strap insert assembly for aquatic sports equipment.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

Turning now descriptively to the figures, FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an inventive foot strap insert, whereas FIGS. 4-5 illustrate an inventive foot strap insert assembly, for aquatic sports equipment which provides a user of the aquatic sports equipment (e.g., a watersports board) with greater freedom to position the user's feet and allows the user to adjust the positioning of one or more foot straps without adjusting the width of the one or more foot straps while concurrently providing stability and comfort to the user.

FIGS. 1-3 show that the foot strap insert 10 for aquatic sports equipment may comprise a curved body 100, the curved body 100 structurally disposed to be fixedly secured into the aquatic sports equipment and comprising at least one aperture 110, the at least one aperture 110 structured and disposed to receive and removably retain at least one fastener therein. In at least some embodiments of the present invention, the foot strap insert 10 is an injection-molded component. In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the curved body 100 is fixedly and irremovably embedded into the aquatic sports equipment. By way of non-limiting example, the foot strap insert 10 may comprise at least a first aperture 111 and second aperture 112. In at least some embodiments of the present invention wherein the foot strap insert (10 for FIG. 2, 10 ′ for FIG. 3 ) comprises at least a first aperture 111 and second aperture 112, as can be seen in FIGS. 2-3 , the first aperture 111 and the second aperture 112 are disposed in spaced relation to one another at a predetermined angle of rotation (120 for FIG. 2, 120 ′ for FIG. 3 ). As previously mentioned, with reference to the term “angle of rotation,” such an angle may refer to the relative position of two points on an arc A. By way of non-limiting example, as seen in FIG. 2 , the predetermined angle of rotation 120 is substantially 12 degrees. By way of additional non-limiting example, as seen in FIG. 3 , the predetermined angle of rotation 120′ is substantially 17 degrees.

Additionally, as can be seen in FIG. 4 , the present invention is directed to a foot strap insert assembly 20 for aquatic sports equipment, wherein the foot strap insert assembly 20 may comprise at least one pair of curved bodies 200, the at least one pair of curved bodies 200 comprising two curved bodies, the two curved bodies each structurally disposed to be fixedly secured into the aquatic sports equipment 300, each equidistant from and mirrored about an axis of rotation 210, and each comprising at least one aperture 110, the at least one aperture structured and disposed to receive and removably retain at least one fastener therein. In at least some embodiments of the present invention, the foot strap assembly 20 further comprises at least a first aperture and a second aperture. In at least some embodiments of the present invention wherein the foot strap insert assembly 20 comprises at least a first aperture and second aperture, the first aperture and the second aperture are disposed in spaced relation to one another at a predetermined angle of rotation. By way of non-limiting example, the predetermined angle of rotation is substantially 12 degrees. By way of additional non-limiting example, the predetermined angle of rotation is substantially 17 degrees. Furthermore, in at least some embodiments of the present invention, the foot strap insert assembly 20 comprises a plurality of pairs of curved bodies 220. In such embodiments, and by way of non-limiting example, the plurality of pairs of curved bodies comprises at least one pair of curved bodies at a first size 221 and at least one pair of curved bodies at a second size 222. Additionally, in at least some embodiments of the present invention, the foot strap insert assembly 20 comprises six pairs of curved bodies. In such embodiments, and by way of additional non-limiting example, the six pairs of curved bodies comprise three pairs of curved bodies at a first size and three pairs of curved bodies at a second size.

Moreover, as seen in FIG. 5 , the present invention is directed to a foot strap insert assembly 30 for aquatic sports equipment, wherein the aquatic sports equipment 300 comprises a left third 310, a center third 320, and a right third 330. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to a foot strap insert assembly 30 comprising at least one foot strap insert 340, the at least one foot strap insert 340 comprising a curved body 100, the curved body 100 structurally disposed to be fixedly secured into the center third 320 of the aquatic sports equipment 300, the curved body 100 comprising at least one aperture 110, the at least one aperture 110 structured and disposed to receive and removably retain at least one fastener therein. By way of non-limiting example, the foot strap insert assembly 30 may comprise at least a first aperture and second aperture. In at least some embodiments of the present invention wherein the foot strap insert assembly 30 comprises at least a first aperture and second aperture, the first aperture and the second aperture are disposed in spaced relation to one another at a predetermined angle of rotation. By way of non-limiting example, the predetermined angle of rotation is substantially 12 degrees. By way of additional non-limiting example, the predetermined angle of rotation is substantially 17 degrees.

Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the described embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A foot strap insert for aquatic sports equipment comprising: a curved body, said curved body structurally disposed to be fixedly secured into the aquatic sports equipment, said curved body including at least one aperture, said at least one aperture structured and disposed to receive and removably retain at least one fastener therein.
 2. The foot strap insert of claim 1, further comprising at least a first aperture and a second aperture.
 3. The foot strap insert of claim 2, wherein said first aperture and said second aperture are disposed in spaced relation to one another at a predetermined angle of rotation.
 4. The foot strap insert of claim 3, wherein said predetermined angle of rotation is substantially 12 degrees.
 5. The foot strap insert of claim 3, wherein said predetermined angle of rotation is substantially 17 degrees.
 6. The foot strap insert of claim 1, wherein said curved body is further irremovably embedded into the aquatic sports equipment.
 7. The foot strap insert of claim 1, wherein said curved body comprises five apertures.
 8. A foot strap insert assembly for aquatic sports equipment comprising: at least one pair of curved bodies, each curved body in said pair being structurally disposed to be fixedly secured into the aquatic sports equipment and each comprising at least one aperture, said at least one aperture structured and disposed to receive and removably retain at least one fastener therein; and each curved body in said pair being equidistant from, and mirrored about, an axis of rotation.
 9. The foot strap insert assembly of claim 8, further comprising at least a first aperture and a second aperture.
 10. The foot strap insert assembly of claim 9, wherein said first aperture and said second aperture are disposed in spaced relation to one another at a predetermined angle of rotation.
 11. The foot strap insert assembly of claim 10, wherein said predetermined angle of rotation is substantially 12 degrees.
 12. The foot strap insert assembly of claim 10, wherein said predetermined angle of rotation is substantially 17 degrees.
 13. The foot strap insert assembly of claim 8, wherein said foot strap insert assembly comprises a plurality of pairs of curved bodies.
 14. The foot strap insert assembly of claim 13, wherein said plurality of pairs of curved bodies comprises at least one pair of curved bodies at a first size and at least one pair of curved bodies at a second size.
 15. The foot strap insert assembly of claim 13, wherein said foot strap insert assembly comprises six pairs of curved bodies.
 16. The foot strap insert assembly of claim 15, wherein said six pairs of curved bodies comprise three pairs of curved bodies at a first size and three pairs of curved bodies at a second size.
 17. A foot strap insert assembly for aquatic sports equipment having a left third, a center third, and a right third, the foot strap insert assembly comprising: at least one foot strap insert having a curved body, said curved body structurally disposed to be fixedly secured into the center third of the aquatic sports equipment, said curved body also including at least one aperture, said at least one aperture structured and disposed to receive and removably retain at least one fastener therein.
 18. The foot strap insert assembly of claim 17, wherein said curved body comprises at least a first aperture and a second aperture.
 19. The foot strap insert of claim 18, wherein said first aperture and said second aperture are disposed in spaced relation to one another at a predetermined angle of rotation.
 20. The foot strap insert of claim 19, wherein said predetermined angle of rotation is substantially 12 degrees.
 21. The foot strap insert of claim 19, wherein said predetermined angle of rotation is substantially 17 degrees. 